The first time that I’ve met Pepot was TAYO3. TAYO 6 was also the first year that Coke became part of the family. San Miguel became part of the family about 6-7 years ago also. Smart has also been part of our family through the years. And of course our friends from Jollibee, Ayala, and Lenovo are also here with us.

Congratulations for being here and thank you for making our country better.

Thank you for giving us a healthy dose of positivity and inspiration, especially this week. Lalo na ngayon na pinag-uusapan ang pagbibilanggo ng batang Pilipinong siyam na taon lamang. Thank you for providing us an alternative story for all of us today.

One time, sinabi nilang ako’y isang Ninja Turtle. Ginawa na rin nila akong hip-hop dancer, master-twerker, at kung anu-ano pa. And honestly, we didn’t feel that bad about it kasi it was all done in good rumor.

In fact, just the other night nung nagdinner kami, I found out that a number of our finalists focus on mental health of the youth. Dahil napaka-grabe na ang sitwasyon ng marami nating kabataan pagdating sa kanilang mental health.

I was so shocked to find out that in one of our finalists pools, in one batch that they were helping students in, more than 10% had actually tried to commit suicide.

Dear friends, when we sift through stories of revolutionaries and change-makers, we find that there were always critics and there were always naysayers. People who will say that you can’t do it.

But the inner voice of optimism can triumph and shine through!

If Bill Gates gave up after his previous business ventures failed, we may never have had “a computer in every home.” If Steve Jobs gave up whenever his ideas were shot down, we wouldn’t have “a computer in every pocket.”

If Mahatma Gandhi gave up those countless times he was thrown in jail, we would never have known the power of non-violence. If Cory Aquino believed those that said a housewife could never be president, who knows if we would have freedom and democracy today.

They had the willpower and a strong, hopeful voices that cut through the criticism and negative chatter to drive revolutions, drive reforms, and ultimately, create change that we want to see in our world.

Pero sa panahon natin ngayon, hindi na sapat ‘yun. It is simply not enough. With social media and all the negativity in our society these days, sometimes that voice can easily be overwhelmed.

What’s the challenge for us today? Especially to the TAYO finalists?

Kailan nating magtulungan. Kailan nating suportahan ang isa’t isa. We need to be that voice for others as well.

In these times, it is not enough to strengthen our inner voice. We are called to be that voice for others. We are challenged to support each other, to support those who are doing well for our country amidst all of those voices that seek to bring us down.

We need to be that voice of understanding for those who have known nothing but judgment.

And be that voice of confidence for those that have known nothing but disappointment.

Be that voice of inspiration for those who are paralized by their failures.

We are called to speak up, for them, and not remain silent. We are called to silence the hopeless and hateful voices that weigh so heavy on the shoulders of our young countrymen!

As we step out of this room and back into the dim world of critics, skeptics, and defeatists, let us become the loudest voices of inspiration.

Let’s use our stories of hope to weave a more joyful, more passionate, more productive Philippines!